The principal of Sydney Russell School said she was “delighted” with the number of pupils achieving the top grade of 9 in the new-style exams.

Four per cent of the Parsloes Avenue, Dagenham school’s cohort achieved a 9 in at least one of the three subjects it was available in - English, English literature and maths.

Among them were Bianca Filip, who achieved 9s in both English and English literature, and also achieved the top A* grades in history, sociology and German.

She plans to stay at the school to study English literature, drama and sociology A-levels.

Another success story was Liam Docherty Hill, who achieved a 9 in maths and an 8 in English in addition to A*s in geography and science.

He also plans to study A-levels at the school and will be taking on chemistry, physics, maths and further maths.

Principal Janis Davies said “The school has obtained an extremely pleasing set of results and we are delighted with the number of students who have gained the new grade 9 in the more rigorous English and maths GCSE exams.”